Page 154 of Mountain Daddy

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And as I put my truck into park, I know I’m doing the right thing.

Opening my door, I get out.

Chapter 93

Kendra

Luther shuts his truck door,and I stand, moving down the rest of the steps.

But he doesn’t come to me.

He stays where he is. A few yards away.

And I can feel it.

It’s heavy. And thick. And dark.

“Luther,” I whisper.

It’s a plea.

An unspoken question.

Aplease don’t do this.

His shoulders drop. “I’m not right for you.”

One sentence.

Five little words.

And every one of them slices through my heart.

He looks down, taking a second, then he lifts his head. And he holds my gaze. “You have your whole life ahead of you, Kendra. You’re beautiful and smart. You have so much to offer. And I have nothing to give.”

“I… I don’t understand.” Moisture fills my eyes.

How did I read this thing between us so wrong?

So incredibly wrong.

“I’ve already lived. I have my daughter. I got to experience raising her. And I wouldn’t change it, but I’m not going to have more kids.” He shakes his head. “And I can’t take that away from you. I won’t make you choose.”

His voice is steady, and it makes me want to scream.

Why is he doing this?

Why didn’t he ask me about kids?

If he asked me, I’d tell him.

I’d tell him everything.

I want to tell him.

I open my mouth. Inhaling.

I can stop him.

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